Debate Over New MMJ Business Restrictions in Oregon

Just a week after one legislative committee fought to a standstill over Oregon’s medical cannabis rules, a state Senate committee voted unanimously for new restrictions, including a limit on the number of plants cultivators can have at a given time, implementing a seed to sale tracking system, further inspection regulations and an in-state residency requirement for businesses.

Backers say the new rules are necessary to prevent federal regulators from intervening when the state tries to move ahead with its upcoming recreational marijuana industry.

One key difference between several House members and Senators when it comes to regulating the state’s MMJ industry is whether or not to allow localities to ban medical cannabis businesses; those in the upper chamber favor giving local governments such flexibility, while a trio of House members on last week’s panel contended that patients need to have access to medicine without letting politicians intervene.

Local bans are a critical factor in this state, as they are in so many other states, because if allowed the majority of Oregon could close its doors to both MMJ and recreational retail. In 2014, 72% of Oregon counties enacted temporary bans to stop dispensaries from opening.

2 comments on “Debate Over New MMJ Business Restrictions in Oregon”

The measure 91 law, states that the Medical Program is to be left alone. So, please leave it alone, and put your attention on the deadly Pharma drugs that are destroying people’s lives everyday. Thank you.

Oregon law makers should worry about the large outdoor marijuana growers. At 4 pounds or 5 pounds per plant and giving a patient one and a half pounds per year means lots of excess medical marijuana. The small indoor growers are lucky to get 2 ounces or more per plant. The voters have voted the people have spoken leave the system alone.